Lack of evidence for immunological reactions to polygelatin

Gelatin-based plasma substitutes resemble denatured collagen in that sequence dependent antigenic sites of collagen may be preserved in these preparations and cause side reactions of such plasma substitutes. We have measured the binding of 125I-collagen in denatured conformation to antibodies and to cold-insoluble globulin (CIG) in sera of patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. About two thirds of the sera bound significant amounts of denatured collagen to immunoglobulins and to CIG. Yet, there was no correlation in individual patients or in groups of patients between the collagen binding capacity of sera and the occurrence of allergic reactions upon infusions of Haemaccel. Furthermore, antibodies to denatured collagen induced in animals did not cross-react with gelatin-based plasma substitutes. Thus, it is not likely that side reactions after infusion of gelatin-based plasma substitutes are caused by immunological reactions between antigens and performed antibodies.